Life-preserver.



W. BRUCE.

LIFE PRESERVER APPLICATION FILED JULY 1, 191a.

L1 3 1 1 1 Patented Mar. 9, 1915 WALLACE BRUCE. 0F MANTON, CALIFORNIA.

LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 9, 1915.

application filed July 1, 1913. Serial No. 7 6,841.

To aid whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, \Vsnmcn Biiice, a citizen of the United States, residing at Manton, in the county of Tehama and t-ate: of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Life-lrz erw ers, of which the following is a speeilieatioii.

This invention relates to iinprow zients in life preservers and an obje t thereof is to so adapt suitable mechanism to a water proof casing for the body as to admit a full supply of atmospheric air to the individual so in cased without permitting the adinitiance of water therein.

A further object of the invention conteni plates the provision of means in the nature of a pair of spiral springs or coils adapted to be interposed between the lining of the casing and the outer water proof covering, this arrangement of the springs effecting a skeleton or frame for the device as well as effecting a support for the casing against inward pressure and ultimate collapse which would otherwise occur were the said springs not provided.

The invention still further resides in the provision of means in the nature of an elastic band adapted to encircle the neck of the preserver for partially closing ordividing the head portion thereof from the body.

The above and additional objects are accomplished by such means as are illustrated in their preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings described iii the following specification and then more particularly pointed out in the appended claims forming a part of this application.

In describing the invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts. throughout the several views and in which;

Figure 1 is :1V side elevation of a life preserver constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation, the lower portion of the device being shown in section; and Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner in which the valves operate.

Proceeding now to the description of. the drawings, wherein is illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 1 designates the outer water proof casing or cover near the center of which a band 2 is disposed for retaining the preserver upon the surface of the water, the

said band being composed of cork, or other similar boiiyant substance or material. An inner lining 3 is provided for the casing 1 and between which, and the said outer casing, a pair of spiral springs 4, oppositely C0ll(d. are interposed. one end of the springs being em edded within the hand 2 and the other end terminating at the base of the raising where they are embedded in weight members disposed at the extremity of each t ousers leg for supporting the trousers in an upright manner when placed within the. water. The springs or coils 4 encircle the body from th waist line to a point 6 where the casing is divided to form the trousers legs thereof. the said springs then extending one into each of the legs, as is shown to advantage in Fig. 2 of the drawings.

\rin 8 and gloves 9 formed integrally therewith extend from the casing 1 above the band 2 into which the arms and hands of the individual incased may be inserted for facilitating movement of the preserver when in the water and for closing the neck band,

to he hereinafter fully described.

The head l0 of the prcserver is provided with glass covered eye openings 11 and an integrally formed mouth opening 12, the

latter having a flap valve 13 pivotallyaris formed within the top of the casing, the v said top adapted to be drawn so as to cause the said valve to engage a flange '15 projecting inwardly from the top of the casing through the medium of cords 16 disposed upon the interior of the head portion 10 of the casing, the said cords being perated prior to the fastening of the neck band 17 which is disposed upon the exterior of the casing and which is adapted to be operated bv the individual incased bv fastening the ends of the said band together. A bail or handle 18 may be secured to the band 2 of the preserver to facilitate the handling of the same when not in use.

It will be seen from the above taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, that the provision of the coils 4 disposed as they are to extend from the. waist line to the base of the preserver will prevent the collapse thereof by reason of the preserver directed thereupon by the water surrounding the lower portion of the casing 1;

trance thereinto may be had that the top of the casing being open, en-

at that point; and that pockets, Water bottles and other like necessities may be disposed as desired upon the interior of the casing to be used in cases of emergency.

It will be understood that the above description and the accompanying drawings comprehend only th general and preferred embodiment of my invention and that various minor changes in the details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts may be made within the scope of the appended claims, and without sacrificing any of the advantages of my invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, vuhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A life preserver including an outer water proof casing, an inner lining, and a skeleton frame extending from the Waist line of the casing to the base thereof, the said frame being interposed between the said lining and the said casing, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. i life preserver including an outer waterproof easing, buoyant means for sustaining the casing upon the surface of the water. weight members disposed at the base of the said casing, and. a pair of oppositely coiled springs extending from the said buoyant means to the. said weight members and interposed between the said outer easing and the said lining, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a life preserver, the combination of an outer water proof casing, valve controlled air openings formed within the said easing, buoyant means carried by the said casing for sustaining the same upon the surface of the water, an inner lii'iing'disposed in spaced relation to the said outer casing, weight members disposed at. the base of the said casing, and a. pair of oppositely coiled springs, one end of which is ('IYIlJQCldP-(i in the said buoyant means and the. opposite end in the said weight members. adapted to be in-- terposed between the said outer casing and the said lining, as and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a life preserver, the combination of an outer water proof casing. a buoyant band encircling the waist line of the said casing, a. head portion formed integrally with the said casing. means disposed upon the exterior of the easing for closing communication between the said head portion and the balance of the casing. valve controlled air inlets formed within the said head. portion, weight members disposed at the base of the said casing. the latter being divided at the base thereof. into duplicate leg portions, an inner lining disposed within the said casing. and a pair of oppositely coiled spiral springs adapted to extend from the said band to the said weight member, one into each of the said leg portions, the said springs being interposed between the said lining and the said outer casing, as and for the purpose set forth.

5. A life preserver including an outer Water proof casing shaped to inclose the body of the wearer, an inner lining therefor, and a resilient skeleton frame interposed be tween the said easing and the said lining, said frame extending throughout that portion of the preset-Yer lying upon a plane below the surface of the. water, as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

' winaato 1c airtime \Vitnesses 

